There are some similarities in symptoms of bipolar
disorder and borderline personality disorder. These similarities could include
impulsive and reckless behaviors and shifts in mood. However, there are very
many differences that need to be considered in order to distinguish between
them.
Bipolar Disorder
l The mood changes in bipolar disorder are
extreme.
l The mood instability of bipolar disorder
swings between mania or hypomania and depression.
l Bipolar disorder has limited but longer
periods of mania and depression.
l A person with this disorder could engage in
impulsive behavior that can lead to unintentional self-harm.
l Their cognitive abilities are poor during
depressive or manic episodes.
l In this disorder there are episodes of
experiencing extreme highs and lows in mood.
l A person with bipolar disorder may feel
suicidal during those episodes.
l During a depressive episode a person with this
disorder could isolate themselves but during a manic episode, they could be
extremely social.
l People with bipolar disorder can develop and
maintain healthy social relationships. However, they can also be hampered due
to their manic and depressive episodes.
l The cause of this disorder generally involves
a genetic component.
Borderline Personality Disorder
l In BPD, the mood rapidly changes.
l The mood instability of BPD involves poor
emotion regulation.
l The mood changes in BPD are rapid, chronic,
and intense, it is something that a person with this disorder would experience
regularly.
l A person with BPD could intentionally indulge
in self-harming behaviors.
l People with BPD have a tendency of thinking
and behaving in extreme opposites.
l Intense emotions and high emotional
sensitivity.
l Thoughts of suicidality could be present all
along.
l A person with BPD would be fearful of being
left alone.
l People with BPD have chronic poor social
functioning. Due to rapid shifts in their mood, they often have unstable,
volatile social relationships.
l The cause of this disorder is an interplay of
genetic vulnerability and external factors. The episodes are usually triggered
by stressful situations.
Hence, the treatment and management of bipolar
disorder and borderline disorder are also different.